Big Ten in the NFL Draft: Where Did All the Elite Skill Players Go?

Big Ten in the NFL Draft: Where Did All the Elite Skill Players Go?

The Big Ten had an abysmal 2012 football season. Not coincidentally, this was followed by an abysmal showing at the 2013 NFL Draft. Wisconsin center Travis Frederick, selected No. 31 overall by Dallas, was the one Big Ten first round pick (even that was a reach). The conference had fewer players chosen in the Top 40 than Derek Dooley’s 5-7 Tennessee team. Probable first round pick Taylor Lewan returning to Michigan exacerbated this year’s plight. But it fits within a broader B1G talent drop off in recent years.

Big Ten first round picks have declined in both number and quality the past four classes. From 1994 to 2009, the conference averaged 5.5 first round picks and produced at least one Top 10 pick in 14/16 years. The lowest “first player off the board” over that span was Wisconsin’s Wendell Bryant, No. 12 overall in 2002. From 2010 to 2013, the number of picks has fallen to 3.5 per year. The B1G has been shut out of the Top 20 since 2011. The last Top 10 picks from the conference came in 2008.

The first round picks the conference does produce are all linemen. From 1994 to 2009, the B1G produced 3.7 non-lineman first rounders per year. From 2010 to 2013, only one of the conference’s 14 first round picks, Illinois wide receiver A.J. Jenkins, did not play on the offensive or defensive lines. He squeaked into the first round at No. 30 overall in 2012. The last B1G offensive skill position player picked in the Top 20 was Ted Ginn Jr. in 2007.

Some of this dry spell may be school specific. Much can be pinned on Michigan and Ohio State. From 1994 to 2009, the B1G rivals produced 2.6 first round picks per draft. They had at least one Top 10 player 11 times in 16 years. Over the past four years, the schools produced just two first round picks. Michigan’s Brandon Graham, No. 13 overall in 2010, was the last player from the two schools picked in the Top 30.

Looking more broadly, one could also lump in Penn State. The Nittany Lions produced 12 first round picks from 1994 to 2003, including six in the top ten. From 2004 to 2013, Penn State had only four first round picks, one coming in the top ten.

Talent input, whether due to demographics or competitiveness, must be considered among the foremost culprits. The conference is improving there, sort of. Ohio State and Michigan have ramped up recruiting under Urban Meyer and Brady Hoke. The Buckeyes brought in Rivals’ No. 4 overall class in 2012 and No. 2 overall in 2013. The Wolverines were close behind at No. 7 in 2012 and No. 5 in 2013. Combined, they took in 22 of Rivals’ Top 150 players in the last cycle.

Looking down the Big Ten table, however, should counter any enthusiasm. Nebraska was the only other program to sign a Top 25 class either year (the SEC had 13 of the Top 30 in 2013). From an NFL Draft production perspective, the conference is losing Ron Zook’s NFL Draft grooming factory, which produced 12 players chosen in the top three rounds from 2008 to 2013 (and 11 conference wins).

Jamaal Berry and Duron Carter were 09 OSU recruits would have been good picks but they couldnt keep their acts togther. Berry was a 5-star and ended up at Murray State. Carter did sign UDFA with MIN.

scripty

*Those guys wouldnt have been top 20, but still draftable skill position guys.

https://twitter.com/#!/ParrishWalton HuskerDawg

Michigan and Ohio State will put out some talent in the coming years, specifically on defense and the OL. If PSU wasn’t in the situation they’re in, O’Brien would be adding to this list as well.

https://twitter.com/#!/ParrishWalton HuskerDawg

*Those guys wouldnt have been top 20, but still draftable skill position guys.

Carter was never draftable as he was always a train wreck.

https://twitter.com/#!/ParrishWalton HuskerDawg

The SEC is the juggernaut, so comparing the B10 to that league is a bit unfair. The Big 12 had 22 players drafted, same as the B10. ACC had 31 players drafted, second most by any league. This year’s SEC total was an anomaly. It won’t be 63 players that often (if ever).

http://feardoesnotexistinthisdojo.blogspot.com Charlie Sheens Dopeman

What about Hartline? He is a good option at WR.

http://twitter.com/#!/JHScramble Jim Harbaugh Scramble

Carter was never draftable as he was always a train wreck.

Agreed. Jamaal Berry seemed like he would be a stud, but he really flamed out and did so fast. Bucks haven’t really had a dominant back since Beanie.

https://twitter.com/#!/ParrishWalton HuskerDawg

Bucks haven’t really had a dominant back since Beanie.

Won’t get one now that Saint Dickface is in town either. The RB position is an afterthought to him.

https://twitter.com/#!/HtownHacker HtownHacker

The Big 12 had 22 players drafted, same as the B10

It was certainly not a banner year for the Big 12, but in fairness they do have fewer schools.

https://twitter.com/#!/ParrishWalton HuskerDawg

It was certainly not a banner year for the Big 12, but in fairness they do have fewer schools.

I know. Just pointing out that the B10 had a down year, but hell, 63 freaking picks came from one league. Every league had a down year I would think, except maybe the ACC, though I don’t know its averages.

http://tylerduffy.com/ Ty Duffy

The SEC is the juggernaut, so comparing the B10 to that league is a bit unfair. The Big 12 had 22 players drafted, same as the B10. ACC had 31 players drafted, second most by any league. This year’s SEC total was an anomaly. It won’t be 63 players that often (if ever).

Did run some of the numbers I didn’t include. Big Ten/SEC were on par until about 04. 1994-03 SEC – 5.4 1st rounders per year, B1G – 5.6. 2004-13 – SEC – 8.3 per year, B1G – 4.6

https://twitter.com/#!/ParrishWalton HuskerDawg

Did run some of the numbers I didn’t include. Big Ten/SEC were on par until about 04. 1994-03 SEC – 5.4 1st rounders per year, B1G – 5.6. 2004-13 – SEC – 8.3 per year, B1G – 4.6

Those don’t bode well, that’s for sure.

https://twitter.com/#!/ParrishWalton HuskerDawg

It’s not shocking when you look at who the coaches are in the B10, though. Neb, Mich St, Illinois, Indiana, N’Western, Iowa, Rutgers, Minny…none are known to recruit well or put out NFL talent (at least on the skill side).

Have no fear, Big Ten. Maryland and Rutgers are just a year away from cleaning up this mess.

oskie

Le’Veon is going to be a stud.

http://twitter.com/#!/JHScramble Jim Harbaugh Scramble

Have no fear, Big Ten. Maryland and Rutgers are just a year away from cleaning up this mess.

Rutgers had a good amount of kids drafted this year.

/don’t think that will continue.

http://tylerduffy.com/ Ty Duffy

The thing that gets overlooked is one or two schools can make a huge difference in perception. SEC has Bama and LSU right now. Whichever conference had Miami looked great when they produced 19 1st round draft picks from 01-04.